New Australian production changing the face of classical opera Carmen
Published 9 July 2025, 5:48 am
The classical opera Carmen has become a popular fixture in concert halls worldwide and is often hailed as the ultimate "femme fatale." But a group of Australian women are changing the face of Carmen in a new production at the Sydney Opera House. Starring in the lead role, a woman from Melbourne who won "Young Talent Time" at the age of nine, now an internationally-acclaimed Soprano.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Brand called out for ‘deceptive' move
Shoppers have voiced outrage after a popular e-commerce retailer advertised AI-generated models and product images on its platform, labelling the move 'deceptive'. An Australian woman called out Atoir, a Melbourne-based label, for using AI-generated images of a model and clothing, available for purchase on The Iconic. 'Saw this on The Iconic,' she wrote on Reddit. 'The brand ATOIR is using AI models for their clothing. Feels so deceptive.' The Melbourne fashion brand created a model using AI. The Iconic Credit: Supplied The dress in this image isn't real either. The Iconic Credit: Supplied The website features two images of a brunette woman wearing a white dress, taken from the front and back. At the very bottom of the item's product description, the brand said the model's measurements 'represents a size S/8 and is standing at 5'10' but disclosed neither the clothing, nor the model, were real. 'Please note that this eCommerce imagery has been crated (sic) using artificial intelligence technology and does not feature a real model,' the product description read. 'These AI generated visuals are designed to represent our products accurately and creatively.' The same AI model displays other Atoir items on the website without any mention of AI-generated imagery. The Iconic disclosed the brand was using AI-generated models in some product descriptions but failed to mention it in others. Reddit Credit: Supplied Online, Australian customers voiced their frustration with the AI-generated models, arguing it did not accurately represent the item they wanted to buy. '(A) $400 dress and you can only see an image generated version of it before you buy it,' a comment read. Others argued the AI-generated image failed to represent the fit of the clothing on a human body and other angles of the clothing. 'AI cannot replicate the way a garment sits on the body, or the way different types of fabric drape,' a person wrote. 'They might as well just take a flat lay photo of the garment, that would actually be more useful.' Another said the move was 'so wildly unappealing' and discouraged them from making a purchase. 'It's just a realistic looking line drawing at this point,' they wrote. 'I can't say I'm prepared to shell out hundreds of dollars online when I don't even get to see an actual garment.' Many other products featured the same AI-generated model. The Iconic Credit: Supplied Many shoppers voiced their concern with the AI-generated images. The Iconic Credit: Supplied Interlunar Media director Krishna Chandak said AI visuals could 'often miss the mark' if used for advertising retail, skincare and fitness products compared with 'commoditised sectors' and could 'definitely affect consumer trust and brand credibility'. 'In categories like skincare, fashion, or wellness, where authenticity and emotional connection matter, AI visuals often miss the mark,' he told NewsWire. He said 'real content consistently outperforms' AI-generated content, which may '(raise) questions around transparency and ethics'. 'Whether it's user-generated content, branded shoots, or genuine storytelling, the return on investment is almost always stronger with authentic visuals,' he said. Retail experts warn brands about relying on AI-generated images, as they could dissuade shoppers. The Iconic Credit: Supplied Experts suggest sticking to 'traditional' methods of creating product images, including real photographers and models. The Iconic Credit: Supplied The Ad Firm chief executive Kevin Heimlich said retailers using AI were walking on an 'ethical tightrope' that could discourage shoppers from trusting a brand. He said while AI may 'create a technically perfect image', it may also 'lack the soul and relatability that genuinely resonate with a target audience and encourage them to convert'. 'AI can whip up these incredibly slick, almost perfect images. They look amazing, truly aspirational,' he told NewsWire. 'If that image does not exactly match the real item a customer receives, you have a problem.'Mr Heimlich said shoppers may be disappointed when the item arrived at their doorstep. 'When a customer opens their package and sees something that does not quite align with what they saw online, it is a direct path to disappointment, frustration, and often, a return,' he said. Shoppers may lose trust in a brand if it relies on AI-generated images, retail experts say. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Heimlich said there was a risk of 'breeding distrust' if retailers relied on AI-generated product images, leading customers to wonder if the brand is 'intentionally trying to mislead them'. 'Such damage to a brand's reputation and consumer trust can take a considerable amount of time to repair, and it undoubtedly impacts future sales,' he said. Mr Heimlich urged retailers to consider relying on traditional photography and models to negate the lack of 'emotional connection and storytelling' that came with AJ-generated imagery. 'A skilled photographer, or a model who embodies the essence of your brand, does so much more than show the product,' he told NewsWire. 'AI, in its current form, often struggles to replicate that nuanced human artistry and emotional depth.' The Iconic and Atoir did not immediately respond to NewsWire's questions.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Robert Irwin returns to Coffs Harbour restaurant to pay his food bill
Less than a week after admitting he forgot to pay for his bill at a restaurant, Robert Irwin has returned to the scene of the crime to settle the score. The Aussie wildlife warrior, 21, took to Instagram last week sharing a since viral-video where he revealed he unwittingly left The Jetty Pavilion in Coffs Harbour without paying for his salad. Within five days, Irwin made good on his promise to venture back and fix up the bill, with camera crews on hand to capture the moment. 'I'm a man of my word. I said I was gonna pay for the salad, so I'm here to do just that,' he told 7News. 'It went through! We got a tick,' Irwin continued as he tapped his credit card. 'I definitely paid! I'm outta here,' he laughed, while also leaving a generous tip. Owners Ben Hemsworth and Kyle Miller said they'd experienced a 50 per cent boost in business since Irwin shared a video recommendation last week. Irwin triggered global headlines when he admitted to ordering the $26 Harvest Bowl at the local eatery during an east coast road trip, before he was swarmed by fans and forgot to pay. 'I went in there, and there was a lot of people who, you know, saw me and said g'day, and wanted to have a photo. But it turned into a bit of a frenzy … It was a bit of a flurry there for a moment,' Irwin began. 'Anyway, they got the salad done super fast, I made sure I said hi to absolutely everyone, 'Cheers, thanks so much, see ya later.' 'Then the next morning wake up and realise, I never paid for my salad! I just did the old dine and dash and didn't even realise. I felt terrible.' The I'm A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! co-host said he quickly reached out to the venue and offered to hand over his credit card details to fix up the bill, as he'd already left Coffs at that point. 'They said, 'Don't worry, just leave us a good review.' I said, 'I'll do you one better!'' Irwin continued. 'There are eight million of you guys on here [Instagram]. Go and support the Jetty Pavilion. They are the absolute best. 'I apologise again. Today is not the day I start my life of crime, as much as the tabloids would love that, it's not happening. 'Cheers everyone. Love you, Coffs Harbour.' The Jetty Pavilion owners have since hinted they might name the salad after Irwin in light of the saga.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Social media dating trend points to act women no longer accepting
The dating game can be brutal with trends like ghosting and the emphasis on casual relationships amplified — but finally it seems like the bar for the bare minimum has risen. Women of TikTok have put their partners to the test, asking them a series of statements with the question; 'Is this princess treatment or the bare minimum?' For context, princess treatment is when a partner does something that a reasonable person would consider above and beyond. While, the bare minimum is the standard and what should be expected in a relationship. The most telling thing about the trend is exactly what is deemed to be the bare minimum, as for years it was simply replying to a text message before 10pm. Rosie and Harry, a British content creator couple who moved to Australia, took part in the trend. For every answer Harry got 'wrong', 25-year-old Rosie sprayed her fiance with water. 'Princess treatment or bare minimum — knowing exactly what period products I need from the store without asking me,' Rosie asked. Harry responded that was the bare minimum. Next, he said washing Rosie's hair in the shower for her seemed like 'princess treatment', to which she agreed. However, Harry faltered, according to Rosie, when she asked which category it fell under for him to always give her the last bite of his food at the restaurant every time. He dubbed it princess treatment. He said that Rosie always having access to his phone, not liking other women's photos on social media and offering to take photos of Rosie when they were out were all the bare minimum. But, what does this mean for Australia's dating scene? Nicole Colantoni, eHarmony's relationship expert, said that bare minimum behaviour are things like responding to messages, remembering someone's birthday or asking how your partner's day has been. Meanwhile, she's seen 'Princess Treatment' described as dropping your partner off at work and picking them up every day, driving two suburbs over on a rainy Sunday to pick up a favourite pastry and washing their partner's hair. She said it's a stark reminder that you need to know your partner's expectations and love languages. 'It's a playful yet pointed reminder that things like texting back, remembering your partner's birthday, or making plans in advance aren't 'over the top' — they're just the basics of emotional maturity and care,' she said. 'On the other hand, something like booking a surprise weekend away or tickling your partner to sleep might be considered princess treatment — going that extra mile to really make someone feel special.' She said it was a signal that we are finally seeing a shift towards more intentional and emotionally intelligent dating. Ms Colantoni said people are becoming increasingly conscious of what it takes to create a healthy relationship, and people are no longer solely looking at achieving financial security or social status through dating. So, why are people finally bucking the trend of cool and casual when it comes to dating? 'For one, people are more emotionally aware than ever — we're talking about attachment styles, emotional regulation, love languages, and relationship standards openly on social media,' the relationship expert said. 'There's also this culture of comparison happening, where people are constantly scrolling and comparing their relationships to curated versions of others online, which can blur the lines around what's 'normal' versus what's actually meaningful. I also think the post-pandemic world has sparked a deeper craving for emotional intimacy and effort. People want to feel prioritised, not just partnered.' She said to ask for more, it's important to know what you need — and then express it clearly and kindly. It's also important to have regular check ins. 'The trend is a reminder that while we think we know what our partner needs, we often don't — and that clear communication is essential. It also reflects how our standards and needs evolve, and how a relationship has to adapt with them,' she said. 'Sometimes, we do want a little extra care or surprise effort — whether or not we call it princess treatment. And that's okay. The real message is that intentional effort matters.'
